Key Takeaways:
- Two Iowa National Guard members, Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, were killed in a weekend attack in Syria blamed on the Islamic State group.
- The attack also killed a U.S. civilian working as an interpreter and wounded three other Guard members.
- The U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces, with hundreds of American troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS.
- The Trump administration has vowed to retaliate against IS with "overwhelming force" for the attack.
- The Iowa National Guard members who were killed are being remembered as dedicated soldiers and heroes.
Introduction to the Incident
The two Iowa National Guard members killed in a weekend attack in Syria were identified as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown. The U.S. military has blamed the attack on the Islamic State group, and the incident is currently under investigation. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in honor of the fallen soldiers, stating that "We are grateful for their service and deeply mourn their loss." The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, has also confirmed that a U.S. civilian working as an interpreter was killed in the attack, and three other Guard members were wounded.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
The attack occurred on Saturday in the Syrian desert near the historic city of Palmyra, and it is believed to have been carried out by a gunman who had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago. The gunman had recently been reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS, according to a Syrian official. The assailant stormed a meeting between U.S. and Syrian security officials who were having lunch together and opened fire after clashing with Syrian guards. The incident has been described as a "major security breach" by Interior Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Din al-Baba, but he also noted that there have been many successes by security forces in the year since the ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad.
The Trump Administration’s Response
The Trump administration has vowed to retaliate against IS with "overwhelming force" for the attack. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that "The United States of America will avenge these fallen Americans with overwhelming force," and President Donald Trump reiterated his promise of retaliation, telling reporters at the White House that IS will "be hit hard." Trump also reaffirmed his support for Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, saying that the Syrian government is not to blame for the deadly attack. The president welcomed al-Sharaa to the White House for a historic meeting last month, and he has expressed his confidence in the Syrian leader’s ability to work with the U.S. to combat IS.
Remembering the Fallen Soldiers
The Iowa National Guard members who were killed in the attack are being remembered as dedicated soldiers and heroes. Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard was described as a loving husband and an "amazing man of faith" by his stepfather, Jeffrey Bunn. Howard had wanted to be a soldier since he was a young boy and had served for over 11 years. He was inspired by his grandfather’s service and wanted to serve for 20 years. Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar was remembered as "very positive," family-oriented, and always putting others first by his fellow Guard members. The Iowa National Guard has stated that its focus is on providing support to the families of the fallen soldiers and ensuring that their legacy is never forgotten.
The Broader Context
The attack in Syria is a major test for the rapprochement between the United States and Syria since the ouster of autocratic leader Bashar Assad a year ago. The U.S. military is expanding its cooperation with Syrian security forces, with hundreds of American troops deployed in eastern Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by U.S. troops deployed in the region, and it has sparked a renewed commitment from the Trump administration to combat IS and support its allies in the region. As the investigation into the attack continues, the U.S. military and its partners will be working to prevent similar incidents in the future and to bring those responsible to justice.
